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Citigroup, BHP Billiton Decline;
Lowe's Rises Despite Weak Report

By

Rob Curran

Updated Nov. 18, 2008 12:01 a.m. ET

Stocks fell and the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index finished within two points of its lowest close in more than five years as bellwether multinationals such as bank Citigroup and miner BHP Billiton braced for an extended contraction of commercial activity.

The slowdown in consumer spending was clear from results from discounter Target and builders' supplier Lowe's, though the latter stock finished higher.